This is a delicious, well-priced white Burgundy offering excellent value for money. Made from vineyards on sloping hillsides, it was bought as grapes and fermented in tank. It is fresh and floral, belying the warmth of the year.
This excellent California chardonnay is barrel fermented in neutral French oak, which has led to an intense apple, oyster-shell and lemon-scented chardonnay with great mouthfeel and length.
Ripe and concentrated for a white Burgundy of this level. Fermented entirely in barrel and matured on its lees for about nine months to enrich the flavour. The lesser appellations are usually in cooler spots and so do well in warm years.
A lovely baby Burgundy of predominantly Cote d`Or parentage, mainly the vineyards situated below Puligny and Meursault classified as Bourgogne, along with a little from the Hautes-Cotes. This year, because of the small crop, 65% is fermented in barrel (usually its about 50%) and 35% in tank. One of the best recent vintages of this wine, it is fresh, firm and fine.
A top-notch south Saint-Veran from Chasselas, west of Fuisse. This is as good as some producers` Pouilly-Fuisses. Fermented half in barrel and half in concrete tank, it is ripe yet fresh with peach-scented fruit and a firm, dense palate.
Firm and taut with a concentrated palate and fresh finish. An excellent unoaked village Chablis. Drink from 2022 to 2026. Magnums (BU76264 @ GBP87 per three) available.
Domaine de la Soufrandise Pouilly-Fuisse Vieilles Vignes 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2026
Ripe, full yet balanced, and a great example of the appellation. Approximately one-third was fermented in 228-litre pieces and two-thirds in tanks. Drink from 2024 to 2026.
Olivier Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet Les Enseigneres 2018
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2026
Enseigneres is a very well-placed vineyard, situated just below grand cru Batard-Montrachet. This comes from a one-hectare parcel managed by Olivier Leflaive. A sophisticated, intensely flavoured white Burgundy with a long, linear palate. Drink from 2022 to 2026.
Big and powerful, yet the ripeness is underpinned with excellent grip derived from the well-thought-out assemblage. Two-thirds of the fruit is sourced from hillside vineyards for freshness and concentration (Les Cloux and Narvaux) while the other third comes from lower-lying vineyards for richness and breadth (Limosin, Crotots and Criots). Drink from 2023 to 2026.
Gunter Kunstler became fascinated with this Iberian grape variety, not least because the name means 'white from the Rhine'. The result is a fresh, full-flavoured, bone-dry white with plenty of character and exuberant fruit. Drink next year to 2026. 12.5%
Made from viognier on granite and picked early to preserve freshness this is aromatic, with apricot and peach flavours and both richness and freshness. Perfect for early drinking. Drink from 2024 to 2026. 13%
A delicious Montagny made from vineyards on sloping hillsides. It was bought as grapes and 80% was fermented in tank, 20% in 600-litre barrels. Bright, fresh and floral, this is a well-priced white Burgundy offering excellent value for money.
This is one of the best entry-level Pouilly-Fuisses our Burgundy buyer Toby Morrhall has tasted here, with impressive levels of ripeness for a wine of this level. It is ideally balanced, fermented 50% in a tiled concrete vat and 50% in barrel.
This has the tell-tale ripe yet fresh balance of the vintage with good concentration of fruit for a Bourgogne. This was matured in 600-litre barrels and a large foudre to minimise the impact of oak on the wine and to capture the fresh fruit character. Drink from 2024 to 2027.
Domaine Henri Prudhon Saint-Aubin Premier Cru Les Perrieres 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2027
Fine and intense appley aromas, lightly honeyed ripe fruit on the palate and then a taut, mineral finish. Made from 40-year-old vines. Drink from 2024 to 2027.
A very fresh and balanced example of a village Chablis from one of the great Chablis domaines, now owned by Champagne Henriot. About 10% of the wine was barrel fermented.
Forage Supply Co Rib Tickler Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022
Syrah/Shiraz
Red Wine: Full-bodied
Australia
South Australia
2024
2027
Deep, intense but brilliantly vibrant red, with a nose of cassis, clove, pepper, plum and a lick of sweet spices, having spent 18 months in second-fill barrels. The palate is velvety and bursting with energy, juiciness and drinkability. Despite the whacky look of the label, this is a serious wine.
An excellent unoaked village Chablis. As usual, it is a blend of three excellent village vineyards: Pargues, Cartes and Bas de Chapelot. Fresh and firm with good structure and balance. Drink from 2023 to 2027.
A delicious Montagny made from vineyards on sloping hillsides. It was bought as grapes and 80% was fermented in tank, 20% in 600-litre barrels. Bright, fresh and floral, this is a well-priced white Burgundy offering excellent value for money.
Flinty, fine and focused chardonnay from arguably the best winery in North Canterbury, New Zealand. The nose is savoury with gunflint and succulent stone-fruit notes. The palate is fine but has texture, with smart phenolic character which helps to contribute to the impressive structure.
A lovely white Crozes made from 70% marsanne and aged in tank. This has grip, precision and lemon-and-lime fruit. Refreshing and clean. Sheer brilliance in 2022.
Domaine Andre Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Cuvee Speciale 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2028
Superb wine, paradoxically ripe yet fresh. This is a signature of the vintage in white wines so I will go into detail here to explain it. Just to show this impression is borne out by the analysis, I give the numbers here. Given alcohol of 13.5% the pH3.25 is low, indicating fresh acidity, and the total acidity 4g/l (expressed as sulphuric) is good for this level of ripeness. This is made from 50 to 75-year-old vines. About 70% was barrel fermented and aged for 14 months on its lees - mostly in 400-litre barrels - before bottling. Drink from 2024 to 2028.
Chateau de Beauregard Pouilly-Fuisse Premier Cru Les Reisses 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2028
Accorded premier cru status, this was renamed after the classification, perhaps because its previous name, Vers Pouilly, might be confused with neighbouring commune Pouilly. It`s a shame as Vers Pouilly, meaning towards Pouilly, is a helpful description: it lies on the Fuisse side of the border running between it and Pouilly. This has a very particular soil, also found in Le Pouilly, and at neighbouring Chateau du Clos, called marnes. It is an exceptional clay soil made up of laminated layers that impart power and freshness in equal measure. This has a beautiful tension between richness and freshness and has grip and a long finish.
Lovely village Marsannay with ripe black fruit, freshened with 70% whole-bunch fermentation. This will get a long maturation to round out the edges until July or August. Drink from 2024 to 2028.
Ripe yet fresh chardonnay mingling aromas of apple and melon. Concentrated but not heavy with a long finish. Fermented in 500 litre barrels and 500 litre concrete eggs which contributes a light oak flavour and some oatmealy richness from the contact with the lees and avoids masking the fine aromas with too much oak flavour. Made from a 50 year old vineyard in the cool south of the Uco Valley at Las Pareditas.
Domaine Andre Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Cuvee Speciale 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2028
Superb wine, paradoxically ripe yet fresh. This is a signature of the vintage in white wines so I will go into detail here to explain it. Just to show this impression is borne out by the analysis, I give the numbers here. Given alcohol of 13.5% the pH3.25 is low, indicating fresh acidity, and the total acidity 4g/l (expressed as sulphuric) is good for this level of ripeness. This is made from 50 to 75-year-old vines. About 70% was barrel fermented and aged for 14 months on its lees - mostly in 400-litre barrels - before bottling. Drink from 2024 to 2028.
Another good vintage for Bouscaut, this blend of two-thirds semillon and one-third sauvignon has classic white peach and citrus character with a touch of creamy oak on the finish. Proper dry white Graves, in other words. Drink from 2023 to 2028. 13.5%
The first vintage to be made in the stunning new cellar at La Garde, this is a super-fresh, tangy blend of 92% sauvignon and 8% semillon, grown on well-sited limestone soils. Notes of lemon posset and freshly mown grass. A property at the top of its game.
A full-flavoured, dry riesling from the historic village of Hochheim, where the name 'Hock' comes from. Brilliant in 2022. Drink next year to 2028. 12.5%
Made from 50:50 marsanne and roussanne, this had precision and freshness in 2022. A lovely white Rhone with creamy fish or poultry dishes in mind. Drink from 2024 to 2028. 13.5%
Cap Maritime Chardonnay Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
South Africa
2024
2028
South Africa`s celebrated Gottfried Mocke made legendary chardonnay in his time at Cape Chamoix. He now makes this wine at the famous Boekenhoutskloof estate using superb-quality fruit sourced from near neighbours. The result is a classic example of cool-climate chardonnay, refined and with an uplifting saline note while still maintaining a generous texture on the palate.
Graceful, silky Rioja in the classical mould, crafted by The Society's Pierre Mansour and winemaker Julio Saenza of La Rioja Alta from a blend of 70% tempranillo, 25% garnacha and 5% graciano. Aged for two years in American oak and a year in bottle, it will be ready to drink on release, but can be kept until 2028 (bottles) or 2030 (magnums). 14%
Cotes-du-Rhone Blanc Les Arbousiers Domaine La Remejeanne 2022
Marsanne Roussanne
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Rhone
2024
2028
From a standout producer of whites in the southern Rhone, this is a big blend with clairette and bourboulenc offering grip and precision, and grenache, roussanne and viognier all adding weight and fragrance. Dry, crisp and a good food match. Drink from 2024 to 2029. 13.5%
Domaine William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru Vaulorent 2018
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2024
2029
Big, broad, powerful and close to grand cru quality. Vaulorent is the best part of the Fourchaume premier cru, bordering grand cru Preuses, and is is the closest in style and geography to the grands crus.
A modern South African classic blending cabernets sauvignon and franc with merlot and petit verdot. Its bouquet of sweet fruit, with touches of spice and graphite flows through to a plush palate.
Full of blackberry fruit and with a touch of graphite in 2020, this wine is made using parcels from some of the region`s top growers, which have been carefully selected by Nicolas Jaboulet and his team. Drink from 2023 to 2029. Magnums (RH61754 @ GBP122 per six) available. 13.5%
Aromatic and minerally, this is a blend of equal parts semillon and sauvignon from the Dubourdieus, characterised by its lifted, crunchy green-apple fruit and lively acidity. A mouthwatering Graves that delivers excellent value. Drink from 2023 to 2029. 12.5%
Dark and ripe, with considerable weight in this extraordinary vintage, this shows why Brezeme is one of the Rhone`s best-kept secrets. Drink from 2022 to 2030. 14.5%
Full-bodied and very well made shiraz from one of Australia's best vintages of recent years. This has dark fruit, pepper, cedar and earthy notes on the nose. The palate has vibrant acidity and firm tannins which will soften with age. A wonderful value wine from a top vintage with great cellaring potential.
Robert Oatley Finisterre Margaret River Chardonnay 2020
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
Australia
Western Australia
2024
2030
Margaret River is undoubtedly one of the best regions in the world, let alone Australia, for chardonnay and few do it better than Robert Oatley. This is hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed into French oak barriques and wild fermented, resulting in a wine which is toasty, beautifully vibrant and complex, with nougat and citrus notes.
This popular 60:40 grenache-syrah mix, 10% of which is aged in foudres, is full of raspberry-like fruit with a touch of spice. Softly textured and, as the name suggests, from grapes grown on slopes that rise to 420m altitude, ensuring freshness. Drink from 2024 to 2030. Magnums (RH62754 @ GBP74 per six) available.14%
Le Coste di Monforte is at the southern limit of Barolo. Its 470m elevation and Tortonian soil, combined with Silvano`s traditional approach, gives a very classy, scented wine. This has serious structure, but its red berries, black pepper and touch of eucalypt make it extremely appealing in its youth. Drink 2024 to 2031. 14.5%
The Monforte sub region often produces firmer styles of Barolo. However, this blend from a number of Monforte vineyard plots has been made to highlight the charm. A medium-bodied, fine-boned wine with redcurrants, violets, black pepper and a long, floral finish. Drink from 2024 to 2031. 14.5%
La Rosine Rouge Collines Rhodaniennes Domaine Ogier 2019
Syrah/Shiraz
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Rhone
2024
2031
Deeply seductive and long, with dark fruits of the forest, this comes from a non-appellation vineyard on the border between Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. Always one of the must-buys of the vintage. Drink from 2022 to 2031. 13.5%
Full-bodied, intense yet elegant wine evoking ripe blackberry, cassis, juniper and tobacco. This comes from a stunning Valpolicella vineyard purchased by Allegrini in 1979 on a great site overlooking Lake Garda. It's a rule-busting 100% corvina, so IGT rather than DOC.
A very exciting Chilean carignan from vines planted in the 1950s, giving excellent concentration and gorgeous black-fruit aromas. A 2024 Wine Champion and, as one taster noted, 'Despite its body and intensity, it carries through to a fine, elegant finish`, and it is this balance that earned it particularly high scores.
La Rosine Rouge Collines Rhodaniennes Domaine Ogier 2020
Syrah/Shiraz
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Rhone
2024
2031
Deeply seductive and long, with dark fruits of the forest, this comes from a non-appellation vineyard on the border between Cote-Rotie and Condrieu. Always one of the must-buys of the vintage. Drink from 2023 to 2031. 13.5%
Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau de Ma Mere Famille Mayard 2020
Grenache Syrah Mourvedre
Red Wine: Very full and rich
France
Rhone
2024
2031
From a family-run estate, where a new generation is proving capable and talented, this is an impressive and generously flavoured Chateauneuf. Dense and richly flavoured. Drink from 2024 to 2031. 15.5%
Vina Zorzal Cueva de La Mora Garnacha Navarra 2020
Grenache/Garnacha
Red Wine: Full-bodied
Spain
2024
2031
A garnacha which is both refined and vibrant with whistle-clean red fruit and a touch of spice from 5% mazuelo. 2020 is the latest vintage of this exclusive collaboration between The Wine Society and Zorzal and the label has been designed to reflect the relationship, depicting Zorzal`s striking 'bird` against the backdrop of the Albert Hall.
Xanadu The Wine Society Special Selection Margaret River 2022
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine: Full-bodied
Australia
Western Australia
2024
2031
We are delighted to have worked with Xanadu`s award-winning winemaker Glenn Goodall to craft this smart, focused red, exclusive to Society members, at a great price. From Margaret River, Western Australia`s cabernet central, the 2022 vintage is a blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon for body, fruit, tannin and structure, and 5% petit verdot for added upholstery and a touch of spice. The long, perfect autumn has yielded a gorgeous red with bewitching cassis, plum and blueberry notes, rounded out by time in 25% new oak barriques. You won`t need to wait too long to enjoy its youthful side, but give it time to evolve, and it will. A model of Margaret River finesse, and exceptional value for money. Drink from 2024 to 2031. 13.9%
Crozes-Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert Paul Jaboulet Aine 2021
Syrah/Shiraz
Red Wine: Very full and rich
France
Rhone
2024
2031
In a style that seems more Burgundian, with lovely cherry like fruit and with a mass of fruit that shows certain delicacy as well as concentration and freshness. Drink from 2024 to 2031. Magnums (RH65364 @ GBP119 per three) available.13.5%
Hochheimer Stielweg Riesling Alte Reben Trocken Knstler 2022
Riesling
White Wine: 2 - Dry
Germany
Rheingau
2024
2031
Characterful riesling from 50-year-old vines and from a top estate in Hochheim. Steely, as the name suggests, intense flavours of ripe yellow plum and spice. Old-vine concentration here with plenty of fat and middle palate and great length too. Drink next year to 2031. 13%
A blend of 50% cabernet franc, 44% cabernet sauvignon and 6% merlot from vineyards at the foot of the Simonsberg mountain, the wine has spent 22 months in oak of which 43% was new providing a wonderfully opulent yet classy Bordeaux blend with great lift and herbaceous undertones from the cabernets franc and sauvignon. The warm 2020 vintage has provided velvety tannins and great depth of fruit on the palate, enabling this flagship wine to be drunk young but with the capacity to age and improve for 10 to 15 years. Drink from next year to 2031. 14%
Stunning Chianti Classico, a completely textbook example of top-quality sangiovese. As ever, this has great intensity and perfume with cherry, cranberry, leather and spice developing on the palate. It's an elegant Italian fine wine with finesse and class that offers exceptional value. Drink now to 2031. 14%
This estate has been making wines for centuries and under the same family. The big advantage is in the age of the vines and the long association with the land. The blend is roughly equal thirds of clairette, grenache and marsanne with a touch of piquepoul. Crisp, full and a touch buttery, this is quite delicious. Drink from 2024 to 2031. 13.5%
Since 1896, the Massolino family have owned 23 prime hectares of vineyards, mostly in Serralunga, a region known for its structured, robust wines. Franco Massolino`s skilful blending preserves the purity and delicacy of the nebbiolo, and the 2019`s red-fruit and floral perfume show it to be a benchmark Barolo. Drink from 2024 to 2032. 14.5%
Lukas' 2022 Syrah dominated 'High Hopes' blend is a much fruiter, sweeter and riper expression than the savoury, tannic 2021 vintage. From the schist and iron-rich granite of the Swartland in South Africa, this is bold and powerful but approachable young if decanted.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Chateau de Beaucastel 2020
Roussanne
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Rhone
2024
2032
Made from 80% roussanne, 15% grenache and 5% of everything else, this is a very fine and, as ever, multi-dimensional white Beaucastel. Full-flavoured and rich with a hint of peach and honeysuckle.
Charming approachable riesling with hints of citrus, peach and greengage. Just off-dry to balance the natural refreshing fruit acidity but nicely rounded and creamy on the palate.
A granitic expression of Crozes from vines close to Hermitage. Very elegant and complex, with flavours of blackberry and graphite. Outstanding. Drink from 2024 to 2033. 14.5%
Saint-Gervais Les Rouvieres Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Domaine Sainte Anne 2019
Mourvedre
Red Wine: Full-bodied
France
Rhone
2024
2033
This estate was among the first to plant the mourvedre grape successfully and their wine is modestly priced yet capable of achieving great complexity with age. Almost zinfandel-like in its flavours and weight of fruit in this extraordinary vintage.
A Wine Society exclusive from one of the finest chardonnay sites in South Africa up in the Elandskloof mountains produced by Adam Mason, formerly of Klein Constantia, this is vibrant and citrusy with fantastic intensity on the palate, light oak spice and a long saline finish.
Saint-Gervais Les Rouvieres Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Domaine Sainte-Anne 2020
Mourvedre
Red Wine: Full-bodied
France
Rhone
2024
2033
Sweet, ripe fruit flavours abound in this fabulous 2020. Sainte-Anne was among the first to plant the mourvedre grape successfully here. Modestly priced yet capable of achieving great complexity with age. Drink from 2024 to 2033. 14%
Saint-Gervais Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Les Mourillons Domaine Sainte-Anne
Syrah/Shiraz
Red Wine: Full-bodied
France
Rhone
2024
2033
2020 was also a great syrah vintage. This is encased in an impressively tannic structure with fabulous blackberry fruit and great length. One to hide away! Drink from 2024 to 2033. 14.5%
An elegant style of Chateauneuf-du-Pape aided by the mourvedre grape which has always been favoured. There is gentle spice and figgy fruit. The Font in the name is one of a few sources of water in Chateauneuf, essential to the quality.
Roggeri is one of the top vineyards of La Morra and with richer soils and slightly lower altitude produces wines with broader structure and longevity. Expressive sweet red fruit, thyme and forest-floor aromas will develop intensity as the wine ages, and it will really start to hit its stride at five years. Drink 2024 to 2033.
With sweet-scented raspberry bouquet and fresh, charming flavour this is a delightful introduction to the nebbiolo grape. It comes from the commune of Novello in the south-western corner of the zone. Drink 2024 to 2033.
A firm favourite with members for its exceptional quality:price ratio, this is the pick of the chateau`s top merlot grapes each year. The wine is deeply coloured, with restrained notes of plums and liquorice. Gravelly tannins will soften to produce a fine Bourg with the capacity to age. Drink from 2024 to 2034. 14.5%
Cannubi is known or its distinctive aromatic wines. It is a 2.5ha vineyard where grapes always ripen well and the Einaudi's 45-year-old vines give extra depth and complexity. Floral notes of rose join liquorice, fresh tomatoes, black cherry and fresh tea in this precise, structured but elegant wine.
The small, steep area of Coste di Rose, between Cannubi and Bussia in the Comune di Barolo, can produce very fine nebbiolo from sandstone soil. In 2019, this wine has an immediate perfume with rosehip, black pepper and redcurrant flavours, with autumnal leaves and herbal lift on the finish. Drink from 2024 to 2035. 14.5%
Half bottle of Chateau Haut-Bergeron Sauternes 2020
Semillon
White Wine: 8 - Very sweet
France
Bordeaux
2024
2035
This is the first time that we have offered Haut-Bergeron en primeur, quite simply because it was one of the standout wines that we tasted this year, and because it offers exceptional value for money. Made mainly from semillon, with a splash of sauvignon blanc, the 2020 is pale golden in colour, and reveals lovely fresh, energetic citrus fruit and apple blossom notes. An impressive result in such a challenging vintage. Drink from 2023 to 2035. Bottles (BW7071 @ GBP93 per six) available. 13.5%
Another top-drawer vintage from this ever-popular cru bourgeois. It combines supple fruit and spice with the cool freshness demonstrated by the best wines of the vintage. This will make a delicious bottle when it hits its drinking window.
Another top-drawer vintage from this ever-popular cru bourgeois. It combines supple fruit and spice with the cool freshness demonstrated by the best wines of the vintage. This will make a delicious bottle when it hits its drinking window.
Pio Cesare have been making great Barolo for many decades and have particularly good vineyard sources in Serralunga and Novella which make firm rose and tar-scented, textbook Barolo. This 2019 is beautifully balanced with lifted floral red-cherry perfume. Elegant with very well-integrated tannins. Drink from 2024 to 2036. 14.5%
The ultimate in Rioja elegance, Vina Real is a fine, intensely aromatic and harmonious gran reserva. The new 2016 is impressive and with time will gain in complexity as many of the ancient vintages of this great wine show today.
Sourced exclusively from the north-west facing Rooiland and Stonepine vineyards that really shone in 2019, this is already showing savoury graphite and cassis notes on the nose with a beautifully poised balance of fine tannins and acidity on the palate. Delicious now but sure to age with grace. Drink from 2024 to 2038.
Domaine de la Soufrandise Pouilly-Fuisse Vieilles Vignes 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2025
2027
Bright and fresh with appley fruit and a tense, taut palate. Approximately one-third fermented then matured in 228-litre pieces for 11 months then assembled with the two-thirds tank fermented and matured portion. Drink from 2025 to 2027. 13%.
Mid crimson with a blackish tinge. Big and bold with evidence of a lot of work having gone into this. Apart from the bottle weight (which they are proud to have reduced from 900 g(!) (my bottle of 2018 at home weighs 1,570 g full, so still about 820 g) but say they will reduce further in the future - they have got the carbonfootprint message), this is a good buy! Jancis Robinson MW Jancisrobinson.comDrink from 2025 to 2027.
Big and powerful, yet the ripeness is underpinned with excellent grip derived from the well-thought-out assemblage. Two-thirds of the fruit is sourced from hillside vineyards for freshness and concentration (Les Cloux and Narvaux) while the other third comes from lower-lying vineyards for richness and breadth (Limosin, Crotots and Criots). Drink from 2023 to 2026.
Chateau Pey La Tour Reserve Bordeaux Superieur 2021
Merlot
Red Wine: Full-bodied
France
Bordeaux
2025
2030
A wine that consistently punches well above its Bordeaux Superieur appellation, this is a deeply coloured blend of 72% merlot and 21% cabernet sauvignon, with small amounts of petit verdot and cabernet franc completing the mix. Appealing dark fruit notes with admirable freshness on the finish. Excellent value from this member favourite. Drink from 2025 to 2031. 13.5%
Xanadu The Wine Society Special Selection Margaret River 2023
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine: Full-bodied
Australia
Western Australia
2025
2031
Juicy, spiced, dark-fruited and complex, with a youthful charm but also great potential for cellaring, this Xanadu is a blend of 95% cabernet sauvignon and 5% petit verdot. The cabernet provides body, cassis, plum and bay-leaf character and tannic structure, while petit verdot brings plushness, spice and an enticing earthiness. The combination offers a huge amount of style and personality at the price point. This is an outstanding option for short to mid-term keeping and for enjoying the wonderful character of Margaret River cabernet. Drink 2025 to 2031. 14%
Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Maison Blanche Les Vins de Vienne 2022
Marsanne
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Rhone
2025
2031
Majestic in 2022. Only a path divides these vines from Hermitage. This will have some of the oily texture of the great wine and, as such, is a bit of a bargain. Drink from 2025 to 2031. 13.5%
This used to be called, more prosaically, 'Grand Vin', and the idea remains the same: a blend of very old vines of carignan, syrah and grenache, made with little intervention and no wood. In the exceptional 2022 vintage there is plenty of fruit, concentration and weight and with the ability to age. Drink from 2025 to 2031. 14.5%
The top cuvee from Chateau de la Grave is 100% old-vine merlot. With deep colour and a restrained bouquet of damsons and dark chocolate, the wine displays plenty of appealing, cool fruit and finely layered tannins. Less richness than in recent vintages, but the wine has appealing freshness and lift. Drink from 2025 to 2032. 13%
The influence of Nina Mitjavile (whose family owns Tertre Roteboeuf in Saint-Emilion) as consultant winemaker at Pitray is clear, with an impressive leap in quality. Warm and round in the mouth with great concentration brought about by the tiny yields and higher percentage of merlot in the blend. An excellent buy. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 13.5%
The top cuvee from Chateau de la Grave is 100% old-vine merlot. With deep colour and a restrained bouquet of damsons and dark chocolate, the wine displays plenty of appealing, cool fruit and finely layered tannins. Less richness than in recent vintages, but the wine has appealing freshness and lift. Drink from 2025 to 2032. 13%
The influence of Nina Mitjavile (whose family owns Tertre Roteboeuf in Saint-Emilion) as consultant winemaker at Pitray is clear, with an impressive leap in quality. Warm and round in the mouth with great concentration brought about by the tiny yields and higher percentage of merlot in the blend. An excellent buy. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 13.5%
Concha y Toro Terrunyo Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine: Full-bodied
Chile
2025
2032
Outstanding Chilean red from one of the best recent vintages for Maipo cabernet, grown on terraced vineyards on the banks of Chile's River Maipo at Pirque. This has a lovely blackcurranty palate with aromas of cigar box and pencil shavings.
This great-value blend comes from plots in the best parts of Cornas. As usual I tasted from several barrels. Patou brings dense black fruit, Chaillots imparts structure and Teyziers concentration. The combination will be worth waiting for. Drink from 2025 to 2032. 13.5%
Nina Mitjavile, whose family owns top Saint-Emilion property Tertre Roteboeuf, now acts as consultant at Pitray, and her first vintage of 'Madame` is impressive. Packed with sweet, dense merlot character, it reveals bright, vibrant fruit and good underlying tannin adding grip. An impressive result. Drink from 2025 to 2033. 14.5%
Chateau Reynon Rouge Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux 2021
Merlot
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Bordeaux
2025
2033
A juicy, fresh, medium-weight Reynon this year, with attractive red fruit character on the nose, and good purity on the palate. Can be broached young but should age well for ten years. Drink from 2025 to 2033. 13%
An attractive Beaumont which displays all the hallmarks that members have come to love about this traditional estate. With supple texture and fine tannins, the 2021 will bring drinking pleasure over the short to medium term and is, as ever, one of the best-value clarets in the range. Drink from 2025 to 2033. Magnums (CM29734 @ GBP53 per three) and halves (CM29732 @ GBP56 per dozen) available. 12.6%
A blend of 81% merlot and 19% cabernet franc, the latter picked over six weeks after the first merlot grapes. The wine displays creamy blue-fruit notes, with the cabernet adding a gravelly, mineral edge and structure to the finish. A fine effort from Nicolas and Cyrille Thienpont and always good value. Drink from 2025 to 2033. 13.5%
An attractive Beaumont which displays all the hallmarks that members have come to love about this traditional estate. With supple texture and fine tannins, the 2021 will bring drinking pleasure over the short to medium term and is, as ever, one of the best-value clarets in the range. Drink from 2025 to 2033. Magnums (CM29734 @ GBP53 per three) and halves (CM29732 @ GBP56 per dozen) available. 12.6%
From vines close to Hermitage, and offering something of the same style, this is great value. Complex, smoky graphite flavours abound in 2020 alongside elegant blackberry fruit. Drink from 2025 to 2033. 14%
A fragrant, easy-drinking blend of 80% merlot and 20% cabernet franc from Francois Despagne's small estate, located on the Plateau d'Aiguilhe. According to Francois it was important not to overextract in 2021 in order to retain the balance and charm of the vintage. This he has clearly done. Drink from 2025 to 2034. 13.5%
Tino and Pietro Colla have great expertise with this parcel from within Monforte's famous Bussia vineyard. Aged for two years in large old oak botti, this traditional-style Barolo has aromas of red apple, black tea and pomegranate, with a fine yet firm and concentrated palate that will reward some time. Drink from 2025 to 2034. 14.5%
Arborina is an outstanding south-facing vineyard in La Morra and Nadia makes Barolo of real charm and concentration. Wild raspberry, red-apple and violet aromas on the nose, with firm tannins that need a little time. Perfumed eucalypt and floral notes develop beautifully on the long finish. Drink from 2025 to 2034. 15%
Vanguardist V Blewitt Springs McLaren Vale Mourvedre 2022
Mourvedre
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
Australia
South Australia
2025
2034
Just 2,800 bottles were produced of this wine, which winemaker Michael J. Corbett declared as his 'wine of the year' in the 2022 release; high praise from a man who is his own harshest critic. This is a wine which is considered by some to be the greatest varietal mourvedre in Australia and upon tasting it is evident why. The nose is inviting, with incredible density of fruit aromatics, while still being light, bright and defined. Aromas of red fruits, plums and rose petal draw you into the glass and lead to a palate with a coating but fresh mouthfeel. Fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity hold together a core of purple fruit and an elegant hint of tangy bramble. Graphite makes an appearance towards the finish, contributing to the notable feeling of purity and the long and layered flavour profile. A wine which filled me with excitement when I tasted it and which provides a keen taster with plenty to pick-apart but, crucially, wonderful drinkability too. There will be none of this wine available from the 2023 vintage due to a short crop. Drink from 2025 to 2034. 14.1%
A lovely, soft, fruity and elegant Angludet this year. The balancing acidity provides a delicate freshness and the ripe tannins will ensure early to mid-term drinking pleasure. 45% cabernet sauvignon, 35% merlot and 20% petit verdot make up the blend. Drink from 2025 to 2035. Magnums (CM29714 @ GBP141 per three) available. 12.5%
Mosconi is a highly regarded vineyard within Monforte d'Alba and here Maurizio Anselma's vines are near the forest boundary. This distinctively aromatic Barolo has ripe tomato, thyme, red apple, rose, wet slate and cracked pepper notes that all develop in the glass and will knit with time. Drink 2025 to 2035. 14.5%
Ginestra one of Barolo`s great crus, known for producing wines with power yet finesse, often with a mineral undertone. Always beautifully balanced, the 2019 has a particularly haunting perfume and concentrated mid-palate, showing balsamic, orange peel, roses and graphite notes. Drink from 2025 to 2035. 14.5%
EXCLUSIVE TO THE WINE SOCIETY EN PRIMEURAn appetising blend of 55% merlot, 43% cabernet sauvignon and 2% petit verdot, this bears more than a passing resemblance to its senior sibling Margaux superstar Rauzan-Segla. The wine has appealingly dense-textured fruit on the palate, and reveals smoky notes of blueberry and graphite. We are delighted to have the en primeur exclusivity for this delicious wine. Drink from 2025 to 2035. 13.5%
2019 was a cool dry year in Argentina and produced low yields of small berries of outstanding quality. This wine combines 30% sensual and plump malbec, which provides the flesh, while 42% cabernet sauvignon forms the backbone, lending structure and length, and 28% cabernet franc adds a top note of cedar. The result is a highly polished, beautifully structured and satisfying wine which was matured in French oak barrels for 18 months before bottling in January 2021. We recommend drinking this wine from 2025 but it will continue to evolve and mature for another ten years at least. 13.5%
Prophets Rock Sophora Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022
Pinot Noir
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
New Zealand
2025
2035
Selected exclusively for Society Members, from a handful of the most outstanding rows of vines in Prophet's Rock's 'Rocky Point Vineyard', Sophora is an outstanding example of why Central Otago has become world renowned for structural , fuller-bodied pinot noir that is often quite ageworthy, and this is packed with rich red berry and plum spice notes. The vines which have been selected by winemaker Paul Pujol for this wine sit in the middle of the slope and are relatively sheltered and warm, meaning they easily achieve full ripeness. Following the inaugural vintage of this wine, 2022 has produced an arguably even higher-quality expression of Central Otago pinot noir. Winemaker Paul Pujol remarked that for him this is an even more vivid and delicious than the excellent 2021. It is a coup then, that there is no price increase on this vintage.
GVB is sourced from the Rondekop vineyards at 200 to 220 meters above sea level, where the high exposure to winds results in thick-skinned berries with great depth and concentration. The 2019 is 71% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc, 9% merlot and 7% malbec and spends 17 months in French oak barrels of which 50% were new. Muscular with a mineral core this is starting to show hints of evolution but is one for the long term. Drink from 2025 to 2037.
From the Vialard family stable, this has been a Wine Society favourite for decades, delivering consistently good claret and offering great value for money. Made mainly from cabernet sauvignon and from vineyards between Saint-Estephe and Pauillac, the elegant fresh fruit has easy balance and provides benchmark left bank Bordeaux. Drink from 2025 to 2038. 13%
From the same stable as Saint-Julien favourite Chateau Talbot, Senejac consistently produces mouthwatering wines, offering very good value - 2020 is no exception. With a majority of cabernet sauvignon (54%) lending freshness, and fully ripe, plump merlot (34%) adding volume and flesh, and equal parts cabernet franc and petit verdot giving structure, this is harmonious and succulent. Drink from 2025 to 2038. 13.9%
This old family estate uses a gentle hand in the winery to ensure good tannin integration, and ageing only in large Slovenian oak so as not to distract from the fruit. Perfumed with rose, wild mint and earth, with a rich and complex core of redcurrant and spice, this will unfurl beautifully. Drink from 2025 to 2039. 14.5%
We believe that Pichon Comtesse makes the finest of all the classed-growth second wines (outside the first growths) and yet Reserve de la Comtesse remains attractively priced. The 2020 is superb, combining the elegance and poise of the grand vin with plenty of mineral, supple merlot fruit on the palate. Fresh and lifted on the finish, this is a wine that will start drinking quite young, but has the stuffing to last. Drink from 2025 to 2040. 14%
Beautifully harmonious with nuanced, medium-weight fruit and fine balance. With sugar levels marginally lower than in the last two vintages, the wine has a gorgeous nose of apple blossom and honeysuckle, with notes of acacia, caramelised citrus fruits and a hint of honey. An ethereal, elegant Yquem that will deliver a huge amount of pleasure throughout its long life. It is a blend of 75% semillon and 25% sauvignon with residual sugar 135 g/l. Drink 2025 to 2045. 14%
The 2019 Yquem is exceptionally fine, with exquisite balance. A blend of 55% semillon and 45% sauvignon blanc, this is luscious and ripe, yet with real finesse, with notes of apple tarte Tatin and almonds, and a citrus twist on the finish. Despite the ripeness of the grapes at harvest, the wine has maintained admirable balance and freshness on the palate. A wonderful addition to any serious Sauternes lover's cellar. 2025 to 2045 14.5%
Chateau de Marsannay Bourgogne Rouge du Chateau 2021
Pinot Noir
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Burgundy
2026
2028
Aged in a 12hl foudre (large oak barrels) and 400-litre barrels to preserve the fruit, this has good mid-palate weight for a wine of this quality level and a mineral element which provides freshness and a certain length. Toby Morrhall. Drink from 2026 to 2028.
Domaine de Bellene Bourgogne Rouge Maison Dieu 2021
Pinot Noir
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Burgundy
2026
2029
Made from a 3ha plot near Pommard, planted in 1950, where the soil has quite a lot of clay, this has a ripe black-fruit nose and a medium-bodied palate of light, fresh pinot fruit. Drink from 2026 to 2029. 12.5%
Domaine Andre Bonhomme Vire-Clesse Cuvee Speciale 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2026
2029
The picking date was excellently judged, producing a wine with ripe peachy fruit and a concentrated creamy palate balancing richness and freshness. This is made from 50 to 75-year-old vines. About 70% was barrel fermented and aged for 14 months on its yeast lees - mostly in 400-litre barrels - before bottling. Drink from 2026 to 2029.
Chanson Pere et Fils Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru La Dominode 2020
Pinot Noir
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Burgundy
2026
2030
This has an intense and fresh perfume with bright and pristine fruit on the palate. Made from their own 2.1ha plot of vines. Lots of energy and verve for the vintage. Drink from 2026 to 2030.
Chateau des Rontets Pouilly-Fuisse Les Birbettes 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2026
2030
This has an aroma of ripe, peachy fruit and a pleasant hint of smoke from the oak. The palate is creamy and concentrated, derived from the old vines which give less but better grapes. Rontets' top wine comes from a vineyard originally planted in the 1920s, with some replanting since. It is given about 20 months' maturation in pieces. Drink from 2026 to 2030.
Domaine William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru Montmains 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2026
2030
This comes from three plots (including Butteaux, Forets and Montmains itself). Really firm and taut with considerable minerality derived in part from the marnes soil and the coolly sited Butteaux vineyard, according to Didier. Impressive. Drink from 2026 to 2030.
Roy Richards (renowned British wine merchant) and Christophe Drag made a blend unique to The Wine Society, composed principally of the Charmottes and Saint-Jacques vineyards. It is a blend of vineyards from the northern part of the appellation, which makes softer wines than those of the southern part. Good black fruit, balanced structure and a fresh finish. Drink from 2028 to 2032.
Domaine de Bellene Cote de Nuits-Villages Vieilles Vignes 2021
Pinot Noir
Red Wine: Medium-bodied
France
Burgundy
2026
2032
A high-quality bottling from three vineyards planted in 1942 just south of Nuits premier cru Clos de La Marechale. Forget the rather generic-sounding appellation: this ripe, creamy wine punches well above its weight, with sophisticated Nuits tannins that contribute a richness to its texture. Drink from 2026 to 2032.
A blend of cabernets sauvignon and franc with merlot, and often affectionately referred to as 'Baby Coleraine', Awatea is a delicious entry into the top-level cabernet-merlot blends of this iconic estate. Despite the slightly more approachable and softer style than its bigger brother, meaning that less cellaring is required, this is a deceptively serious wine and perhaps closer in style to Coleraine in the 2022 vintage than usual. Sour raspberry, cracked black pepper and cassis on the nose lead to a full and structured palate. Still requiring a few years in bottle to show its best, this promises to be an incredibly smart answer to Bordeaux wines three times its price. Drink from 2026 to 2033. 13.5%
Van Loggerenberg Kamaraderie Chenin Blanc Swartland 2023
Chenin Blanc
White Wine: 2 - Dry
South Africa
2026
2033
From vines planted in 1966 this is quintessential Swartland chenin with an intense, linear palate showing lime and green apple fruit, firm acidity and a structured palate. Taut and mineral in youth this requires patience to develop the almond, waxed lime and lanolin characters we love in mature chenin blanc. Drink from 2026 to 2033. 13%
Sadly 2021 is the final vintage of this perennial member favourite to be made by the Nony family, the property having been sold to Bernard Magrez. A high proportion of cabernet this year as most of the merlot was lost through frost. This is a crunchy, fresh, fragrant Bordeaux with attractive purity. Drink from 2026 to 2034. Magnums (CM29754 @ GBP53 per three) and halves (CM29752 @ GBP52 per dozen) available.12.5%
The welcome is always warm at Chateau Cissac and the wines never disappoint. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 5% petit verdot and 5% malbec all add up to make a very complete wine with pleasing balance and finesse, and an underlying sweetness born of ripe cabernet. Benchmark left-bank claret, this will certainly appeal to the many members who follow it. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 12.5%
Another fine effort from a property that is consistently producing appealing, very drinkable wines. This is perfumed and fresh, with medium weight of fruit and a spicy finish, thanks to the 7% of petit verdot in the final blend. Good value. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 13%
The welcome is always warm at Chateau Cissac and the wines never disappoint. 57% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 5% petit verdot and 5% malbec all add up to make a very complete wine with pleasing balance and finesse, and an underlying sweetness born of ripe cabernet. Benchmark left-bank claret, this will certainly appeal to the many members who follow it. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 12.5%
Great wine in a Rhone-like style, this is an historic cuvee based on a plot of syrah that was planted in 1967, well before this grape variety from Hermitage was generally seen in the Languedoc. Grenache and mourvedre are added to the blend for added depth and complexity. Drink from 2026 to 2035. 14.5%
This well-located property (next door to Latour-Martillac) has made impressive quality strides in recent years, thanks to considerable investment by owners Dourthe. Made in its brand-new winery this displays deep colour and plenty of scented red-fruit notes, and an elegance that is characteristic of the best wines of the vintage. The tannic structure here is very fine with all the elements in the right place. Drink from 2026 to 2036. 13%
This showed well on all three occasions on which we tried it during this year`s visit to Bordeaux. Cantemerle always delivers benchmark left-bank character with plenty of appeal, and the 2021 is no exception, providing notes of cassis, mocha and a touch of spice on the finish. Good value. Drink from 2026 to 2038. Magnums (CM29744 @ GBP109 per three) and halves (CM29742 @ GBP112 per dozen) available. 13%
Half bottle of Chateau Haut-Bergeron Sauternes 2021
Semillon
White Wine: 8 - Very sweet
France
Bordeaux
2026
2038
The second vintage in a row that we have offered, this is clearly a chateau in the ascendancy. With mid-golden colour and notes of grapefruit and lanolin, this is a well-balanced blend of 85% semillon and 15% sauvignon delivering pleasure in abundance. Drink from 2026 to 2038. Bottles (BW7361 @ GBP100 per six) available. 13.6%
Made from the Dressoles and Malpoiriers vineyards, on red clay soils in the north of the village, this attractive wine balances richness and freshness, peachy fruit and tautness on the palate. Drink from 2027 to 2030. 14%
Domaine William Fevre Chablis Premier Cru Vaulorent 2021
Chardonnay
White Wine: 2 - Dry
France
Burgundy
2027
2032
Outstanding wine with great breadth as well as length of flavour. Vaulorent abuts Preuses and is thus physically and stylistically almost a grand cru. Considerable quantities of marnes soil produces a wine of controlled power. Drink from 2027 to 2032.
A cuvee of eight parcels (including Roncevie, La Justice, Clos Prieur Bas and Combes). Pure, intense and precise red and black-fruit pinot aromas, ripe tannins and a bright and fresh palate. pH3.38. 13.4%. Drink from 2027 to 2034.
Chateau Dutruch Grand Poujeaux Moulis-en-Medoc 2021
Cabernet Merlot
Red Wine
France
Bordeaux
2027
2034
Always a good-value buy from one of the Medoc's most underrated communes, this is savoury and perfumed, with fine, grainy tannins. Grown on gravel, the blend has a high proportion of cabernet sauvignon (80%), with 15% merlot and 5% petit verdot. It displays savoury, appealingly perfumed dark-fruit character. Drink from 2027 to 2034. 13%
With balanced, understated fruit alongside cigar-box, dark fruit and graphite notes, the 2021 Batailley has lovely poise and promises to age gracefully. Typical Pauillac depth from mostly cabernet sauvignon (76%) alongside 20% merlot and a dash of both cabernet franc and petit verdot. Drink from 2027 to 2037. Halves (CM29802 @ GBP169 per dozen) and magnums (CM29804 @ GBP166 per three) available. 13.3%
This is one of the standout wines in 2020, which showed beautifully on each occasion that we tasted it. Cantemerle is located at the southern end of the Medoc and in good vintages like 2020 produces wines with Margaux-like perfume and poise. Superb value.
A rich blend of 71% semillon and 28% sauvignon with a splash of muscadelle, this is a fine effort displaying sweetness in abundance, and complex noes of peach, apricots and lemon zest. Good length on the finish. Drink from 2028 to 2045. Bottles (BW7261 @ GBP194 per six) available. 13.5%
A delicious Langoa this year, the first vintage to be made in the Bartons' new cellar. It is a classic blend of 61% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot and 3% cabernet franc, which exudes Saint-Julien character, revealing cassis, graphite and sweet vanilla notes, with fine-grained tannins and a cool finish. Drink from 2029 to 2040. 13%